Oral Answers to Questions

Grahame Morris Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

12. What steps he is taking to help households improve their energy efficiency.

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

13. What steps he is taking to help households improve their energy efficiency.

[Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to help households improve their energy efficiency.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gregory Barker]

I am not sure which particular schemes the hon. Gentleman is referring to, but if he would like to write to me, I would be happy to address his queries or concerns in detail. I take on board what he says about bureaucracy. That is why we have got rid of the community energy saving programme, which we inherited from the previous Government and which was incredibly bureaucratic. That is why we are looking to make the energy company obligation and the green deal less bureaucratic and as easy to understand for the consumer as possible. We will continue to iterate both schemes to make them as consumer-friendly as possible.

[Grahame M. Morris]

May I draw the Minister’s attention to a Lords amendment to the Energy Bill, which we will consider next Wednesday, regarding measures to tackle fuel poverty and using the energy efficiency certificates as a means of targeting help at the poorest households? Will he give some consideration to accepting that, or a form of it, as a way of targeting help at the poorest?

[Gregory Barker]

The Energy Bill is on course for Royal Assent and it is very important that it does not get held up. It has been considered in both Houses. It is absolutely imperative for unlocking investment that we proceed with passing the Bill as a matter of urgency, so we remain committed to that. I am always looking for new ideas on energy efficiency, but I think that we have in place the most robust framework and the most ambitious strategy that any Government have had, but we continue to look to improve that.